Extendable/retractable support column
AssigneeTower Solutions, LLC
InventorsDavid George Kensinger, Steven George Kensinger, Eric T. Ohme, Dale A. Ohme
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments of adjacent linked sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual segments of the linked sections disengage from the individual segment of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up into a multi-sided form for compact storage.
Claims20
A method of extending an extendable/retractable column of a tower assembly, comprising:
- providing a tower assembly having an extendable/retractable column;
- the tower assembly including:
- a base and a guide assembly, the guide assembly being connected to the base;
- wherein the guide assembly includes a drive module and an outer frame;
- wherein the drive module includes a drive member that is operatively connected to a gearbox, and the gearbox is operatively connected to a motor such that the motor can drive the drive member;
- wherein the tower assembly further includes three chain sections each including a plurality of individual segments pivotally linked to one another in series;
- wherein the extendable/retractable column is formed by engaging individual segments of one of the three chain sections that are disengageably engaged with individual segments from each of the other two chain sections so as to form a triangularly shaped column that is both extendable and retractable;
- wherein the gearbox has an input end and an output end and the gearbox has a gear ratio between the input end and the output end of from 1 to 1 to 100 to 1;
- wherein each of said linked individual segments includes a body having a first panel, a second panel, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top end and a bottom end, with the first and second panels oriented next to each other in a substantially parallel relation and with the first and second panels connected to each other by a plurality of webs;
- and
- engaging the drive member with one of the individual segments of one of the three chain sections to move that individual segment away from the base and to extend the extendable/retractable column.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.